Chapter 23: Heart of an Onmyouji
It was the middle of day when Kagome's pack decided to stop and rest for the night before they continued on. Hansuke decided to walk away from the camp for a while. He came across a clearing and sat down in the grass. He stared at the Hasshōdō in his hand. He was surprised by the power it had when he and his friends fought against Yamata. He had never felt such power. Strangely enough, it seemed to be filled with reiki and youki, which was weird for a monk staff. But to Hansuke, it didn't really felt like a monk staff.
"Hasshōdō." Hansuke said, looking at the staff.
Hai? Hasshōdō asked inside of Hansuke's mind.
"When we were fighting against Yamata no Orochi, you were about to tell me about yourself. Could you explain why you were waiting for me?" Hansuke asked.
Very well, I shall tell you. Hasshōdō said, Long ago, there were a powerful group of onmyouji. They were dedicated to bring peace between yōkai and humans. But there were not many who wanted the peace between the two. So the Kami decided to create a being that was mixed with reiki and youki, Hasshōdō.
"You?" Hansuke asked, confused. He didn't know that Hasshōdō was a powerful being. Not to mention that he had reiki and youki both inside of him. Just how powerful was Hasshōdō?
Hai. Hasshōdō said, I was able to bring peace between the two worlds. The onmyouji and the yōkai were able to work together as we fought against many powerful beings. But everything changed when both sides encountered a powerful and sinister being, Yamata no Orochi.
"Yamata no Orochi?" Hansuke asked.
He was created by a dark priest. Using his blood, his soul, and eight bodies of dead snakes. Thus, Yamata no Orochi was born. With the reiki of a priest inside of him, we didn't stand a chance against him. He slaughtered all of my comrades. Hasshōdō paused and said, But, I was the only one left alive.
"What happened after that?" Hansuke asked. He felt sorry for Hasshōdō: losing all of his comrades to Yamata. He never knew that Yamata was created with dark magic. Not to mention he was created by a dark priest. A being who should be protecting the innocent.
After Yamata escaped, I traveled to where I heard that he was residing near a town where he was eating virgin sacrifices. There I encountered Susanoo. Hasshōdō said.
"You met Susanoo?" Hansuke asked.
When I heard why he was going to fight against Yamata, I thought he was a fool. But I didn't know that he was one of the Kami at the time. He did ask for my help at that time. I was amazed that he was able to defeat him. Hasshōdō chuckled, I'm still amazed at what he did.
"But how did you end up in the staff?" Hansuke asked.
Afterwards, Susanoo had asked me if I wanted anything in return. I simply asked him to take my staff. He was shocked at what I suggested. Hasshōdō said.
"Why did you give him your staff?" Hansuke asked. He didn't know why Hasshōdō would give his staff away to Susanoo.
I knew that if a human with spiritual abilities ever came across my staff, they would use for their own selfish needs. Susanoo wasn't able to put seals on the staff, so I did the only thing I could do. Hasshōdō paused, Bind my soul to the staff.
"You what?" Hansuke asked, shocked. He couldn't believe that Hasshōdō did such a thing.
In order to prevent anyone from using the staff, I binded my soul, which had my reiki and youki, to my staff. That way, reiki users won't be able to handle the staff because of my youki. Yōkai won't be able to handle the staff because of my reiki. Hasshōdō said. There was a silence between the two onmyouji. Hansuke couldn't help but feel pity towards Hasshōdō. He was created by the Kami and was able to bring peace the ningen and the yōkai. But it was destroyed by Yamata no Orochi. He was the only survivor of the battle between Yamata and Hasshōdō's comrades. Fortunately, he and Susanoo were able to defeat Yamata. At the end, Hasshōdō bonded his soul to his beloved staff in order to prevent anyone who wanted to use it for evil.
My soul has remained in the staff since then. Hasshōdō said.
"You must have been so lonely since then." Hansuke said.
Not really. Susanoo would come and talk me when he wasn't busy with his duty. Hasshōdō said. Hansuke smiled at that. He was glad that Hasshōdō wasn't alone when he was in his staff.
I'm going to rest right now. Let me know when you wish to talk again, Hansuke. Hasshōdō said.
"I will." Hansuke said, "Hasshōdō?"
Hai? Hasshōdō asked.
"I'm sorry and...thank you." Hansuke said. There was a small silence.
You're welcome, Hansuke and I thank you as well. Hasshōdō said. Hansuke gave a small smile when he could no longer hear Hasshōdō's voice. He had a funny feeling that Hasshōdō was also giving a small smile as well. Hansuke laid the staff across his lap. Gazing at the fine detail on the staff. He was amazed that Hasshōdō was able to accomplish things that seemed impossible to anyone's eyes in his life. He looked up at the afternoon sky that had clouds slowing moving across the sky.
"Maybe that's why Hasshōdō was given to me. To fight against Yamata once more." Hansuke said to himself.
Akari was walking towards where Hansuke was training with his new staff away from the camp. It had been about two weeks since they left the village that Yamata no Orochi terrorized. She had to admit that they would miss everyone at the village. Both of the boys have been training themselves with their new weapons they have received. Akari was also training herself with her new fan. She was surprised that the fan once belonged to a powerful white tengu. She wished that she could've met that white tengu. After all, white tengu are a rare sight. So they're hardly been seen. Most believe that white tengu are just myths. Akari stopped in her steps when a thought just entered her head. If both of her parents were black tengus, how come she was born as a white tengu? It spiked her curiosity at that moment. Then she heard Hansuke practicing with his staff. When she spotted him, she was amazed at his movements with the staff. He looked like the next powerful onmyouji that will protect all.
"Hansuke." Akari said. Her voice seem to have caught his attention as he stopped his movements and turned towards her.
"Akari, what are you doing out here?" Hansuke asked when he spotted her.
"You missed dinner." Akari said.
"I did?" Hansuke asked, confused.
"Hai." Akari said, nodded.
"Sorry, I got so caught up in training that I lost track of the time." Hansuke said, scratching the back of his head. He couldn't believe he lost track of the time. He wanted to get the hang of using the staff. He knew that he wasn't close to Hasshōdō's level of power, but he had to get stronger for his friends.
"It's okay. I brought some dinner with me." Akari said, holding two fish kabobs.
"Thanks, Akari. Sorry for the trouble." Hansuke said as Akari handed him the kabob.
"It's no trouble at all." Akari said with a smile and bit into the fish. Hansuke took a bite of the kabob. He noticed that it tasted different. Then he recognized the spices that were on the fish. He realized that Kagome must have put them on.
"Akari." Hansuke said after he finished the kabob.
"Hai?" Akari asked.
"Will you let me court you?" Hansuke asked.
"Huh?!" Akari asked, shocked.
"Only if you want to, Akari." Hansuke said with a blush on both of his cheeks. There was silence between the two. The both of them didn't know what to say at that moment. Unable to bear the silence any longer, Akari broke it.
"Hansuke." Akari said, gazing at Hansuke who was staring at the ground.
"Hai?" Hansuke asked, looking up at Akari who was staring at him.
"Why do you want to court me?" Akari asked. She was surprised that Hansuke had asked to court her, but she wanted to know the reason why.
"You are a strong spirited tengu with incredible power. You fight your hardest to protect all of us. You also fight to gain respect of others. You have a kind heart when it comes to children." Hansuke said, "But above all, your pure heart is what makes me want to fight my hardest to go against evil, Akari."
Akari blushed at Hansuke's words. She quickly turned around and placed her hands on both sides of her cheeks. No one had ever said those kinds of things to her. This was most definitely a first for her.
"I don't know when I started to have feelings for you, Akari. But when I'm alone, I feel the need to have you around me." Hansuke said. Akari blushed even harder at Hansuke's words.
"If you don't wish to court me, I'll understand." Hansuke said, "But I won't give up on you, Akari."
Akari slowly turned around and saw the look of perseverance in Hansuke's golden eyes. For some strange reason, she couldn't look away from them. She could tell that he really wasn't going to give up on her. Then she finally realized that Hansuke was standing right in front of her. Her heart was beating so fast she felt like she couldn't breath as she continued to stare into his eyes.
Hansuke was now at lost at what to do. He had spoken his true intentions towards Akari. The words he said to her...were true. When he felt alone while training or having a place to think, he wanted Akari to be there. Watching over him, comforting him with her pure aura that surrounds her. He knew that her kind-hearted nature is what makes her special, not the power that was given to her. She had a spirit that refused to let all her friends protect her while she sits on the side lines. Especially during that time of Yamata no Orochi. But she had a painful past is what also struck a heart cord in him. Having an older brother who liked to harm others for enjoyment. He was glad that she was finally able to confront her past and defeat it.
"Akari." Hansuke said.
"Hai?" Akari asked.
"Will you allow me to court you?" Hansuke asked with a smile.
"I would be honored if you do, Hansuke." Akari said with a smile as well.
